The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.

The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.

The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.

To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.

Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol).
Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #05BAGHDAD3459.

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BAGHDAD 003459
SIPDIS
STATE FOR INR/R/MR, NEA/PPD, NEA/PPA, NEA/AGS, INR/IZ, INR/P
E.0. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRCKMDRKPAOIZBAGHDAD
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: IRAQI GOVERNMENT, CONSTITUTION;
BAGHDAD
SUMMARY: Discussions on the Constitution was the major
editorial theme of the daily newspapers on August 22, 2005.
END SUMMARY.
-----------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
-----------------
¶A. "Constitutional Discussions" (Al-Adala, 8/22)
¶B. "Why Are We Afraid of Federalism" (Al-Sabah, 8/22)
¶C. "The Disagreement Points are Increasing" (Al-Fourat,
8/22)
¶D. "This Morning" (Al-Sabah Al-Jadeed, 8/22)
¶E. "Dividing Iraq Away from the National Zeal" (Al-Mashriq,
8/22)
¶F. "What is the Argument For the Constitution? (Al-Ittihaad,
8/22)
----------------------
SELECTED COMMENTARIES
----------------------
¶A. "Constitutional Discussions"
(Al-Adala Newspaper (Affiliated with The Supreme Council of
Iraqi Revolution in Iraq - SCRI) in Arabic P 3 Editorial by
Ali Khalif)
"The current discussions on the constitution among the Iraqi
politicians represent a very important step in Iraq's
journey to democracy. However, it seems as though every
political group is trying to impose its own agenda on the
constitution . . . There are some who hold political
opinions that do not serve the Iraqi national interest.
For example, those who oppose the idea of federalism in Iraq
might have accepted it if they had natural resources in
their own provinces. If we believe in democracy and freedom
we must not be afraid of federalism . . . But I think that
some political groups in Iraq are selfish and because of
that they try to dominate all other groups. These are the
groups that accept the idea of Kurdish federalism while at
the same time refuse the concept of establishing federal
territories in any other part of Iraq . . . Nevertheless,
the current constitutional process represents a great
achievement and the Iraqi politicians who have taken the
lead in this process must complete the task of drafting a
constitution that meets the needs of all Iraqi people. We
do not like anyone to make use of this achievement to make
it a platform to launch bombastic slogans. The Iraqi people
want to live in peace and they want to enjoy their fair
share of Iraqi wealth and natural resources."
¶B. "Why Are We Afraid of Federalism"
(Al-Sabah Newspaper (affiliated with the Hezbollah movement)
in Arabic p. 2 Editorial By Sa'eed Abdul Hadi)
"Until yesterday, federalism was an obstacle in the way of
reaching an agreement on the constitution draft. As
everyone knows there is a Shiite-Kurdish agreement on
federalism. However, the Sunnis call for non-centralism of
provinces and totally refuse federalism. The Arab Sunnis
think that federalism will lead to the unfair distributing
of natural resources among provinces. We do not know the
reason behind such fear since the Iraqi politicians
unanimously agreed on the distribution of natural resources
. . . The Western media focuses on the positive points of
federalism and how important it is for Iraq's development.
The conservative Pan Arab media outlets severely attack
federalism in Iraq. We feel that they attack federalism in
Iraq because they want to defend their own political
establishment. Those establishments would be threatened if
federalism succeeded in Iraq . . . The Arab countries are
still governed by tyrannical regimes. Those regimes give a
very good picture of what is called as the eastern tyranny.
The so-called progressive Arab press opposes the rights of
Iraqis to establish their own federalism. Administrative
federalism in Iraq is necessary because it would restore the
confidence of our many ethnic groups. We must not say bad
things about each other. We must not say things like;
Sunnis refuse federalism because they want to implement a
nationalist Arab project for the sake of our neighbors or
accuse the Shiites of being involved in an Iranian plan in
Iraq. These accusations come from those who want to destroy
Iraqi confidence and encourage sectarianism . . . What will
the Shiites lose if a central government was established
that represented the majority in Iraq? What will the
minority Sunnis benefit from having a central government?
There must be a national movement in Iraq and honest Arab
writers must support this move . . . Iraq is moving forward
and the democratic process will never stop. Disagreements
among Iraq's Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds are a healthy point
in this process."
¶C. "The Disagreement Points are Increasing"
(Al-Fourat Newspaper (independent, Anti-Coalition) in Arabic
P 2 Editorial By Majed Fadhel Al-Zaboon)
"Despite the Constitution Drafting Committee's announcement
that the political parties working on the Constitution have
resolved their differences and reached an agreement, it
seems that there are still arguing . . . In fact they are
still trying to reach an agreement on sixty-six different
points. How did six points of disagreement turn into sixty-
six points of disagreement? . . . One of my colleagues
thought that members of the Constitution Drafting Committee
would not be able to read the constitution articles because
there is no electricity where he lives. He lives far away
from the International Zone so he knows nothing about the
concrete walls and unlimited electricity. My other colleague
thought that they should schedule their discussions about
the disagreement points. The problem with that solution is
that Arabs want a schedule according to the Arabic
alphabetic and the Kurds want the Kurdish alphabetic, the
same goes for others political groups . . . Ambassador
Khalilzad, our American brother, suggested that they use the
English alphabetic. Everyone respects his wisdom and they
liked the idea. However, he decided to add more articles to
the Iraqi constitution draft. When some of the Constitution
Drafting Committee members protested, he used his veto
against them! He has the right to do so because the United
States is a permanent member in the International Security
Council . . . This is why the members of the Constitution
Security Council accept his very democratic additions.
They accent the federalism, and fit into the regional
standards that are right for Iraq. They were so happy with
Ambassador Khalilzad that they applauded him."
*Translators note: the author is actually sarcastically
criticizing the US involvement in writing the Iraqi
constitution.
¶D. "This Morning"
(As-Sabah Al-Jadeed Newspaper (Independent) in Arabic P. 1
Editorial by Ismael Zayyer)
"The completed constitution will begin the next stage in our
country's development. So, do not worry about Qatar. Do
not waste time on others issue or other groups and their
campaigns against us. Go ahead brothers and ensure our
children's future . . . This does not mean that you should
be careless and accept anyone's opinion into the
Constitution. But we should stand behind our own opinions
about this historical document. It will establish the basic
elements for the government in the new Iraq . . . It is our
basic rights to participate in the referendum and vote for
the constitution. It does not matter what your vote. The
most important thing is that we are free to express our
opinions. But we should first read the document and
understand what it means. We should also discuss the issues
raised in this document. Then we are prepared to express
our opinion toward it . . .If we reject any interference in
our affairs, and refuse to allow the foreigner to remain on
our land, we should show the world that we are a nation that
says what is means and has the courage to express its
opinions. Casting a vote on the constitution is the first
step for national, Arab, and international recognition. It
is the first step toward reconstruction."
¶E. "Dividing Iraq Away from the National Zeal"
(Al-Mashriq Newspaper (Independent, Anti-Coalition) in
Arabic P7 Editorial by Shamil Abdul Qader)
"Some Iraqis have two main ideas about the unity of Iraq.
One is that Iraq cannot be divided, and two is that dividing
Iraq would be an attack against the efforts of the United
States to maintain Iraqi unity. However, most Iraqis
believe that Iraq will be divided. They think that the
governments of Western and Middle Eastern countries have
planned all along to divide Iraq for the benefit of Middle
Eastern forces. The people who love Iraq and its unity view
federalism as a step backward under the pretext of
protecting it from a centralized government . . . The former
United States Civil Administrator for Iraq Ambassador Paul
Bremmer repeated many times that he refused federalism based
on sectarian issues. He maintained that he agreed with
geographical federalism. That means that Iraq will be turned
into 18 federal territories instead of 18 provinces . . .
All Iraqis understand that Iraq needs a centralized
government for security. We wonder if Al-Ja'afari's
government will give us the centralization of the former
regime. Iraqis will destroy the idea of division. Their
anger will come down on the heads of Iraq's enemies and on
the heads of those who are trying to finance its division."
¶F. "What is the Argument For the Constitution?
(Al-Ittihaad Newspaper (ant-coalition, independent) in
Arabic P 5 Editorial by Karekar Abdullah Khushanoo)
"In today's session of the Transitional National Assembly,
the Constitution will either be decided or refused . . . In
support of the Constitution, many press statements have been
issued, and there have been many meetings for the leaders of
the political blocks. Everyone is working on the
Constitution's controversial issues. The TNA will present
the results to the Iraqi people. However, they are bored
with the issue and do not want to another postponement . . .
The leaders of the political blocks have issued statements
about the significant restrictions facing them. If they are
able to come to an agreement on the constitution draft, that
very act will save Iraq. The completed constitution will
open up new horizons for the Iraqi people and will kick
start reconstruction. The people need a break from the
their current miserable condition . . . When the Political
Blocks Leaders complete the draft, it will need the approval
of the TNA. If the Assembly does not approve the draft the
political process goes back to the beginning. It will be
destructive to the Iraqi people in many ways. The
political, economic, security and social consequences of a
denial will dishearten the people. It will also mean that
after two years of continued suffering, that included a
dangerous election, they only gained a few benefits . . .
The elected National Assembly should have finished the
constitution through the efforts of the Constitution
Drafting Committee by the first deadline. But it failed to
reach an accord. That fact compelled the president to have
the political blocks to sit together in order to solve the
restrictions . . . The statements are continuing, some are
optimistic and some are pessimistic that the document will
be finished. A decision from the TNA decision will remove
these all doubts that the government is serious about the
future . . . We still optimistic that the TNA will give us
our final draft, if we do not get the draft the country will
sink into chaos and face continued foreign intervention in
our internal issues . . . Iraqis want a constitution that
will protect their rights, protect their country, and ensure
a bright future for their children. We are waiting for the
National Assembly to decide the constitution, prepare the
referendum and hold the elections."
Khalilzad